TAM Airlines

EZE-RIO and several domestic flights in Brazil mostly on A320. Generally well presented and helpful staff food good. Only saw wine on one flight in Business where surprisingly red wine was offered with breakfast. Amex Lounge at EZE is worse than the airport itself but lounge in RIO looked good. Overall pleasant airline and would fly them again.

JFK-GIG nonstop return in economy. Both flights on time on A330 aircraft. Friendly and professional crew. Efficient check-in and good inflight service with 3 choices of meals on southbound flight and 2 choices on northbound. IFE selection was a bit weak compared to some other carriers. Will definitely consider flying them again on South American journeys.

SSA-GRU-SSA in Economy. Outbound flight rescheduled but I was contacted by telephone the previous day. Airbus A320 outbound A321 inbound both planes clean but interior worn. Tasteless roll and soft drinks served – no coffee. Flights on time staff friendly and professional.

I fly domestic and long haul with TAM and many other airlines at least twice a month with 3 or 4 flights each journey. Every flight I have had with TAM has been good. Nearly all cabin crew speak English and Spanish and the pilots announcements are always made in English and Portuguese. I don't know what other people expect. Some of the worst flights I have had have been with major carriers. TAM have courteous staff flexibility and level of service.

GRU-JFK-GRU in First Class. Excellent First Class check-in area. Poor lounge the food was cold and there was no easy Internet service. Very friendly and committed staff on the ground and inflight. There's a special staff team to support First Class passengers from check-in to boarding. Comfortable seats which turns into a real bed. Great food but not so great wine list. Entertainment system is modern with a 23" monitor but the film list is poor. In NY ground staff take care of the immigration line the best part.

FOR-GIG roundtrip. It's service and comfort are average - pretty much identical to that of the main competitor. Agents in Rio were helpful in clearing up some complications when connecting from an international flight on US Airways. On the return flight ended up on a plane that was used for short haul international flights with a First Class section though for this (domestic) flight it seemed to be one-class. We got first row seats but other passengers came up to that section once the flight commenced. Food consisted of a small basic foil-wrapped sandwich and a variety of drinks (including beer). I did leave a hat in the upper baggage bin (my fault). Tried to contact airline's lost and found department but gave up after agent kept asking if I wanted to cancel the ticket for the flight that had already taken place. Phone service can be very uneven.

I've been living in Brazil for 5 years and frequently fly TAM almost weekly. Their frequent-flyer program customer service is really poor and their flights are usually delayed. The Economy seats are very narrow and the meals are low quality. The staff are nice and educated and the aeroplanes clean.

GRU-GIG return. On the first flight the aircraft was new return flight aircraft looked old but both had comfortable seating and plenty legroom. FA's on 1st flight were ok return flight from GIG one of the FA's was friendly and smiled a lot. Nice selection of drinks on this short hop. Overall a good airline to fly with no delays or complaints.

LHR-GIG return. Airplane cabin staff and service all good. AVOD ok but not great. Poor quality screen outbound. I also have a problem with touchscreen only systems as I always seem to sit in front of someone who jabs at it. My problem was on the return leg departing Rio at 00.35 and arriving into London late afternoon. By the time food or drink came to the back of Economy it was well into the flight and most were asleep. Breakfast was then served around 15.30 BST. A long gap between meals and everyone was awake well before this.

GRU-GIG-MCX-GRU. On time and with friendly competent crew. English now is spoken on all flights snack and drinks served during the flight are okay.